Spring biased let-offs for textile looms



May 31, 1960 c. HUDGINS SPRING EIASED LET-OFFS FOR TEXTILE LOOMS Filed Dec. 5, 1958 United States Patent SPRING BIASED LET-OFFS FOR TEXTILE LOOMS Charlie Hudgins, 413 Tate St., Burlington, N.C.

Filed Dec. 5, 1958, Ser. No. 778,422

1 Claim. (Cl. 139100) This invention relates to improvements in let-offs for looms. A loom let-off, is a mechanism in the form of tensioning means, which controls the tension on a loom beam while Weaving.

Present day loom let-oils are rather antiquated by their employment of a weight for placing the let-01f under frictional retardation, and on this basis, the principal object of the present invention is to substitute an adjustable spring means for performing the same function in a more adjustable and positive acting manner.

Heretofore the use of weights in connection with loom let-offs, caused the picks in the cloth to jamb and often causing what is known as uneven picks. Cloth resulting from this mechanical defect and causing such uneven picks, resulted in designating the material as second class cloth. Hence, in connection with the above objects, the present invention eliminates uneven picks, consequently resulting in the almost constant production of first class cloth.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevational view of a loom, showing in side elevation the improved let-oft.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 20 generally refers to a loom frame, that is one side thereof. Numeral 21 denotes a raised portion and on the inner side of this is located a bracket generally referred to by numeral 22 forming the present invention. The bracket 22 has a top plate 23 and a depending flange 24 which is bolted as at 25 or otherwise secured to the upper portion 21 of the loom frame. The flange 24 is toward one end of the plate 23 thus permitting the other end portion to project outwardly from the portion 21 of the frame.

Reference character 26 denotes a flange or drum on the end of the loom beam-head which is more clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3. This is at the outer side of an end wall or flange 27 at the adjacent end of the warp beam generally referred to by numeral 28. Of course, the flange 27 serves to hold the warp on the beam.

A brake band 29 engages this drum 26, as clearly shown in Figure 1 and has one end bolted or otherwise secured as at 30 to the projecting end portion of the bracket plate 23.

The tensioning means forming the present invention is generally referred to by numeral 31 and includes an elongated rod 32, threaded at its upper end portion and ex- 2,938,548 Fatenterl May 31, 1960 tending upwardly through an opening in the plate 23 of the bracket 22, behind the raised portion 21 of the frame 20.

The lower end of the rod 32 has a T-head 33, which is embraced by the remaining end of the band 29, the rod 32 extends through a slot in this end portion of the band 29 and the band is folded back upon itself and secured by rivets 34. (See Figures 1 and 2.)

A washer 35 rests upon the plate 23 and the rod 32 passes upwardly therethrough and through a second washer 36, against which impinges or engages a nut 37 on the threaded portion of the rod 32, this nut being provided with an operating handle or lever 38.

It can now be understood, that the tensioning means generally referred to by numeral 31 is a substitute for the more cumbersome weight means presently employed on most looms. When more tension is required on the drum 26, all that is required is to effect more compression of the spring 31 by gripping the lever 38 and rotating the nut 37 against the washer 36. This will effect a contracting of the band 29 on the drum 26, thus providing the proper tension to an exacting degree, which is not possible through the use of weights, which allows for the jambing of picks in cloth, rendering such cloth of secondary quality.

While the foregoing description sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new 1s:

In a weaving loom, a frame including a raised end portion, a warp beam carried by said frame, a flange on the end of said warp beam, a drum on said warp beam between said flange and said frame, a bracket comprised of a top plate and a depending flange bolted to said raised end portion, said top plate having an end projecting outwardly from said raised end portion over said drum, and having a part extending behind said raised portion of said frame, said part having an opening therein, a brake band having one end bolted to the top of the projecting end of said top flange of said bracket and extending around said drum in a direction toward said frame, an elongated rod having a threaded upper end extending through said opening in said part of said top plate, a T head on the lower end of said rod, the other end of said brake band having a slot therein through which said T head extends,

said other end being reverted with the reverted portion pivoted to said band around said T head, a first washer resting on said top plate surrounding said rod, a compression spring surrounding said rod and having its lower end seated on said first washer, a second washer surrounding said rod and seated on the upper end of said spring, a nut threaded on said threaded end of said rod above said second washer, and an L-shaped upwardly extending operating handle secured to said nut.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,641,024 Demers Aug. 30, 1927 1,646,446 Demers Oct. 25, 1927 1,951,967 Demers Mar. 20, 1934 2,479,285 Williams Aug. 16, 1949 2,499,888 Taylor Mar. 7, 1950 

